Mowbray: Emnes was difference against Wigan

Paul Kendrick

Blackburn head coach Tony Mowbray challenged match-winner Marvin Emnes to improve his goalscoring record after a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

Emnes bagged his fourth goal of the season in the 58th minute with a brilliant piece of control and a finish to match that proved to be the decisive moment in the game as Blackburn made it seven points from the last nine.

Mowbray’s impact has been instantaneous, with a second successive 1-0 home win, and in a game of few chances they deserved to take all three points.

The lack of chances - and quality at times - is to be expected in a nervous and tense game that means so much to both sides, but Emnes provided the finish to take all three points.

And after securing their eighth win in 10 home league encounters against these opponents, Mowbray challenged his striker - whose last goal came on September 24 - to weigh in with more.

“I think the performance level of the team has been good,” said Mowbray.

“I think their endeavour, their drive, their commitment, their togetherness has been what’s got us through.

“Their desire and their resilience is what got us there today - and a brilliant goal from Emnes.

“Great distribution from Steele - two players I know very well from my time at Middlesbrough.

“Delighted for Marvin because he needs to add goals to his game and I know he can.

“In the past he’s got 18 or 19 league goals and he needs to get into double figures.

“If you’re going to play number 10 behind the striker in any football team, you have to have goals.